The Resource For Musicals

Synopsis

ACT I.

Judas is beginning to worry about Jesus (Heaven On Their
Minds). He doesn't believe that Jesus is the son of God as many
others now seem to think, and he is afraid that if Jesus starts
getting too loud, they will draw attention from the Romans, who will
then crush them. That Friday night in Bethany, the apostles are asking
Jesus about his plans for the future (What's the Buzz). While
they pester Jesus, Mary Magdalene seeks to comfort him by rubbing his
feet and hair in oil. Judas arrives, and asks Jesus what is doing with
a woman of Mary Magdalene's reputation (Strange Thing
Mystifying). Jesus says to leave her alone, not to throw stones
unless your slate is clean, and states that no one there cares about
him. Mary Magdalene tries to calm Jesus down (Everything's
Alright) and soothes him, telling him not to worry. Judas,
meanwhile, is asking Jesus why good money was used on expensive
ointments instead of the poor. Jesus replies that they can't be
helped, and alludes to his death, saying that they'll be lost when
he's gone.

The following Sunday in Jerusalem, High Priest Caiaphas is with other
priests, discussing what to do about Jesus (This Jesus Must
Die). They conclude that Jesus must die.

When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, the crowd is ecstatic, and sings
hosannas (Hosanna). Simon Zealots tries to convince Jesus
that he can convince the people of Jerusalem to arm against Rome
(Simon Zealots). Jesus answers that no one understands what
true power or glory is, and that to conquer death, one must die
(Poor Jerusalem).

The next day, Pontius Pilate has a dream about Jesus, and his role in
his death (Pilate's Dream). Jesus arrives at the temple in
Jerusalem to find it a haven for moneylenders and merchants. He chases
them out in anger (The Temple). He is then surrounded by
lepers and the poor, begging to be healed. Jesus yells at them to heal
themselves. Mary Magdalene tries to comfort him again
(Everything's Alright (Reprise)). After Jesus is asleep, Mary
Magdalene tries to decide how to deal with her love for him (I
Don't Know How To Love Him). On Tuesday, Judas goes to talk with
Caiaphas (Damned For All Time) and tells them where to find
Jesus on Thursday night (Blood Money). A distant choir tells
Judas, "Well done."

ACT II.

It is Thursday night in the garden of Gathsemane, and Jesus is
performing the Last Supper (The Last Supper). The apostles
discuss how they're glad to be where they are now, while Jesus suffers
from doubt. He announces that Peter will deny him, and another of his
twelve chosen will betray him. Judas confronts him, telling Jesus that
he knows very well that Judas is the one that will be the betrayer.
Judas leaves, and the other apostles go to sleep. Jesus stays awake,
and prays (Gethsemane). He wants to know why he must die, why
he must go through with his Father's plan.

Judas arrives later, and betrays Jesus with a kiss (The
Arrest). Caiaphas asks if he is the Son of God, and Jesus answers
that that is what others say that he is. Peter denies he ever knew
Jesus to three people (Peter's Denial). Mary Magdalene
wonders how Jesus could have known. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who
sends him off to Herod, since Jesus comes from Galilee (Pilate and
Christ).

King Herod asks Jesus to perform miracles to prove that he is the Son
of God; if he does, Herod will let him go free (King Herod's
Song). Jesus refuses, and he is sent back to Pilate. Judas sees
the bruised and beaten state Jesus is in, and wonders how he could
have done such a thing to Jesus. He hangs himself, saying that Jesus
has murdered him. Pontius Pilate tries to help Jesus, and tries to
sate the crowd's cry for crucification with 39 lashes (Trial
Before Pilate). But the crowds still clamor for Jesus's death,
and he is sent to be crucified. The voice of Judas is heard as Jesus
carries his cross (Superstar). He wonders why Jesus choose
the particular time and place that he did, and why he choose to
sacrifice himself for others. Jesus is nailed to the cross (The
Crucifixion). He dies, and into his Father's hands he commends
his spirit. His body is then taken to a tomb (John Nineteen
Forty-One).